Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can I get a temporary antiharassment protection order before the full court hearing?
In Washington, a temporary antiharassment protection order may be available before the full court hearing, depending on the facts and the court’s review of the request. In general, these temporary orders are meant to pro...
Can a Vet Charge Me for Treatment I Did Not Approve?
In general, a veterinarian may charge for treatment that was authorized, reasonably necessary in an emergency, or covered by a signed consent or estimate agreement. If you did not approve a procedure, medication, test, o...
How do I handle a private investigator who recorded my conversation through an open window?
In general, a private investigator recording a conversation through an open window can raise several legal issues, but the answer depends heavily on the facts and on Washington law. The most important questions are usual...
Is it legal for a company to take a percentage of my unclaimed property recovery?
In general, a company may be allowed to charge a fee for helping recover unclaimed property, but the exact legality usually depends on Indiana law, the type of property involved, the contract terms, and how the company o...
What happens if a private investigator records my conversation from outside my window?
In California, the answer usually depends on what was recorded, where the conversation happened, and whether anyone had a reasonable expectation of privacy. A private investigator standing outside your window does not au...
Is it legal for a prenup to decide child custody or child support before children are born?
In Nevada, a prenuptial agreement generally can address many financial issues between future spouses, but it usually cannot permanently decide child custody or child support for children who are not yet born. Courts usua...
What are my rights if maintenance workers installed a camera in my unit without permission?
In Washington, if maintenance workers installed a camera inside your rental unit without your permission, that may raise serious privacy and landlord-tenant concerns. In general, a tenant has a strong expectation of priv...
What happens if I was laid off on Monday and still have not received my last check by Wednesday?
If you were laid off in Utah on Monday and still have not received your last check by Wednesday, the short answer is that the timing may or may not be a problem depending on the exact facts. In many workplaces, the final...
What happens if my landlord removes my access to laundry facilities mid-lease?
If a landlord removes your access to laundry facilities in the middle of a lease, the issue may be treated as a change in the services or amenities promised when you rented the unit. In general, what happens next depends...
Do I have to pay for a repair if the issue came back within a week?
In general, whether you have to pay for a repair that failed again within a week depends on the repair agreement, what was promised, and what caused the problem to return. In Missouri, the first question is usually wheth...
How do I protect myself if my spouse is using our joint credit card after separation?
If your spouse is using a joint credit card after separation, the main issue is that both cardholders may still be responsible for the account balance, depending on the account terms and the facts. In general, separation...
What happens if a credit bureau keeps reporting a debt that is not mine after I disputed it twice?
If a credit bureau in Connecticut keeps reporting a debt that is not yours after you disputed it twice, that may suggest the dispute was not resolved the way you expected. In general, consumer reporting agencies are supp...
Do I have to pay rent through Zelle if the landlord’s notice says cash only?
In Pennsylvania, the answer usually depends on the lease, any later written notices or agreements, and how your landlord has accepted rent in the past. If your lease requires a specific payment method, that term often ma...
Do I have to show actual malice if I am a local business owner?
In Rhode Island, the answer is usually: it depends on the kind of claim, the statement at issue, and whether you are treated as a public figure, limited-purpose public figure, or private person for defamation purposes. A...
Can a Landlord Charge Me for Repainting After Only One Year?
In general, a landlord may try to charge a tenant for repainting after one year if the paint damage goes beyond ordinary wear and tear. But if the repainting is just to freshen up the unit because of normal use, the cost...